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Tuesday, February 3, 2026
TopicWrestling Federation of India

Topic: Wrestling Federation of India

Vinesh Phogat was made to pay a price for defiance. That’s why it’s not just about wrestling

From Sushma Swaraj and Mamata Banerjee to Vasundhara Raje, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, and Zeenat Aman, women who challenge male authority are immediately shunned.

WFI to challenge its suspension by Sports Ministry next week, calls EC meeting on 16 January

WFI maintains that it neither accepts suspension nor does it recognise ad-hoc panel that has been constituted by IOA to manage the day-to-day affairs of the sport.

No games, medals, opportunities for fame—Haryana wrestlers lost without entering the ring

The movement to 'clean up' Indian wrestling has inadvertently left young grapplers as collateral damage —cancelled competitions now threaten their sports careers and job prospects.

WFI suspension: Indian Olympic Association forms 3-member panel to run wrestling body

Sports ministry suspended Wrestling Federation of India's executive body Sunday, three days after Sanjay Singh, a close aide of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, was elected its president.

Amid WFI row, Rahul Gandhi visits akhara in Haryana’s Jhajjar, ‘wrestles’ with Bajrang Punia

Political observers see this as part of Congress's efforts to capitalise on the row, with Priyanka Gandhi also having visited Sakshee Malikkh’s Delhi residence last week.

Citing ‘influence of ex-office bearers’, govt suspends newly elected WFI body, ad-hoc panel to take over

Sports ministry says in letter to IOA that it took note of ‘compelling situation arising out of (continuing) influence & control of former office bearers’ on working of WFI.

After Punia, ‘Goonga Pehelwan’ Virender Singh says he’ll return Padma Shri ‘for the sake of my sister’

Three-time Deaflympics gold medallist Virender Singh announces decision in support of Sakshee Malikkh, who quit wrestling over election of Brij Bhushan aide Sanjay Singh as WFI chief.

No more protests, fight will be in court now, says Bajrang Punia after giving up Padma Shri

Wrestler says after not being allowed to meet PM, he left his award on 'stairs of South Block'. This comes a day after Brij Bhushan's aide became president of Wrestling Federation of India.

‘Disrespected Wrestler’ Bajrang Punia returns Padma Shri after Brij Bhushan aide elected as WFI chief

The Olympic medal winner posted an open letter to PM Modi on X. Another Olympic medal winner, Sakshee Malikkh, had quit the sport Thursday to protest Sanjay Singh’s appointment.

Sakshee Mallikh says ‘goodbye to wrestling’ after Brij Bhushan aide elected WFI president

Mallikh's announcement came at conference held with fellow wrestlers Bajrang Punia & Vinesh Phogat, after Sanjay Kumar Singh was elected Wrestling Federation of India president.

On Camera

Floundering PM Internship Scheme has seen 44% drop out since 2024 launch. Budget deals drastic blow

Only 21 percent of interns complete programme as Centre slashes budget by over 50% after poor joining and high attrition.

CDS Gen Chauhan in Armenia, focus on deeper defence ties including new deals

Armenia has procured significant defence equipment from India, including artillery guns, multi-barrel rocket launchers, air defence system, sniper rifles, weapons locating radars, anti-drone weapons.

Swiss report should now close Op Sindoor debate. Knowing when to stop the fight is key too

The key to fighting a war successfully, or even launching it, is a clear objective. That’s an entirely political call. It isn’t emotional or purely military.